Political Standing for April 19, 2013

DEDICATION: This week’s Political Standing is dedicated to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath, as well as to all first responders everywhere.

Saturday, 7:15 a.m., Political Scoop: My guest this week is former state Attorney General Phil McLaughlin, who is helping to lead efforts to block expanded gambling in the state. Watch the extended version when it goes online to see some very tough words on Gov. Maggie Hassan. Is this guy going to primary her?

The Week Political Crazy Talk Died?When times are good, there are plenty of voices all competing to be listened to and be taken seriously. In those days, a passionate minority can often find a way to get in the news cycle or somehow make themselves relevant. This applies to people on the left and the right. This week however, things got a lot more serious. This week, fewer people cared to listen to the margins, the conspiracy theories. This week, it was about reason and the power of the majority. The establishment and institutions are what people were relying on. One of the more notable events of the week was the Union Leader editorial saying it has had enough of some on the right. On the left, MSNBC’s quick blaming of the right in Boston before anything was known could be been a major reason why the network was in last place in the ratings on Monday.

Serious times force people to get serious. Though, the antics will probably start back up next week.

NotedYes, another New Hampshire resident won a big poetry prize, this time a Pulitzer.

Questions For The WeekendWhat part of Mitch McConnell flying into Manchester for fundraisers in Concord and Rye had anything to do with the lockdown in Boston?

Will the gun control vote have more of an impact on Jeanne Shaheen’s or Kelly Ayotte’s re-election?

What will Scott Brown tell New Hampshire Republicans about his support of the assault weapons ban?

Are Republicans really so clueless they will actually attack one of their own for being a new mother?

Is immigration legislation over because of all this stuff in Boston?

Why did Planned Parenthood of Northern New England feel the need to spike the football on Ovide Lamontagne’s parting?

UPJennifer Horn: Last week, her legitimacy as state Republican chair was challenged. This week, it was confirmed and is now stronger than ever. (Whatever it means to be a state party chair these days.)

Annie Kuster: Another impressive fundraising quarter.

Ovide Lamontagne: He takes a new job in Washington instead of trying to run again. Smart play.

Sara Persechino: This week, she put NARAL-NH on the map in a big way by single handedly driving several days of coverage of “vagina-gate.”

Joe Foster: The state’s new attorney general gets confirmed with a 5-0 vote in the Executive Council.

Speeders: Now, only Gov. Maggie Hassan stands in the way of speed limits going up on certain stretches of interstate.

DOWNState Reps. Peter Hanson, R-Amherst; Jan Schmidt, D-Nashua; Romeo Danais R-Nottingham: In their own ways this week, they entered the long Hall of Shame for dumb comments by New Hampshire representatives over the years for comments here,here, and here.

New Hampshire labor movement: They seemed to be so focused on gambling that they didn’t utter a peep about union members getting laid off at the Nashua Telegraph this week, nor are they addressing rumors of more chopping at the Union Leader this summer. No, their voices won’t prevent anything from happening, but isn’t it their job anyway?

Kelly Ayotte: Over the past two weeks, she has been the target of pro- and anti-gun activists. Close to 4,000 people have commented on her Facebook post about the Manchin-Toomey amendment. Even though her position wasn't that different from other Republican senators, her timing was awful. Opponents of Jeanne Shaheen on this issue weren’t nearly as vocal because she was a “lost cause.”

Ted Gatsas: So, why would anyone announce a campaign for anything, including re-election, on a Friday when all news coverage would be dedicated to an unprecedented manhunt in Boston?